Topic 7
Review Questions
In the early 20thc, Modern Dance emerged. This new dance form was created by revolutionary women reveling against ballet formality, restrictive dress norms (corsets), and lack of women’s rights. They sought to redefine what a woman could do and used dance as their medium. Please describe the contributions of Isadora Duncan, Loie Fuller and Ruth St. Denis.
Who was Francois Delsarte and how did he influence the creation of Modern Dance?
Martha Graham developed a movement system through which she could express a character’s psychological struggles. Please name 2 of her dances that did that.
Please describe Doris Humphrey’s dance technique, Fall and Recovery.
Jose Limon described the body as an orchestra. What did he mean?
Merce Cunningham radically redefined the role of the artist by removing his personal control. He used chance techniques such as rolling dice to make decisions. How did he believe the audience would respond to his methods?
Alvin Ailey is an eclectic choreographer. Name 3 different dance styles he uses in his work.
Post-modern Dance began in the 1960’s by a group called Judson Church who questioned all that went before in dance. Name 2 ways these artists challenged assumptions about dance.
Why was Bill T. Jones piece Still/Here controversial?
David Parsons’ dance Caught is about a man in the air. How is this accomplished?
Video clip: Please choose 2 sections from Revelations and describe them: Music, feelings, kind of movement, and costumes.
the video Alvin Ailey’s dance Revelations can be found online the reading is attached in a file.
